WLAST - Franklin Park

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Tom Neel

21 July 2015

The converted barn at Franklin Park acts as a year round arts center, with both its theater and gallery space always in use. Much like the Round Hill Art Center, for the tour it provides an open gallery for a half dozen of the WLASTS artists who may not have visitable studio space, but still wish to participate.

WLAST - Antonia Walker

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Tom Neel

21 July 2015

Artist painter Antonia Walker, moved to Waterford from Washington D.C. in 1977 and has been in her current studio at 15502 2nd Street in Waterford since 2007. The building used to be a hardware store and still offers the character of those by gone days when everything was simpler.

WLAST - Jill Evans-Kavaldjian and Amy Manson

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Tom Neel

21 July 2015

While they actually have separate studios, this duo teams up for the tour at Jill Evans-Kavaldjian’s wonderfully converted garage studio. While the artistry of the duo may be second only to their close friendship, it is imperative for me to state that both also hold key rolls in the organization of the arts in Loudoun, with Amy Manson acting as WLAST’s Chair and Jill as the Program Director for Round Hill Art Center and President of the Loudoun Arts Council.

WLAST - Round Hill Arts Center

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Tom Neel

21 July 2015

As one of two hosting art centers, Round Hill Art Center would most likely be considered the spiritual home of WLAST. The art center is a non-profit arts education organization, offering a variety of classes for both children and adults, and also hosts camps, art related parties and space rental.

WLAST - David Norton

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Tom Neel

21 July 2015

David Norton is a pottery artist of many years. 26 years ago, well before the Western Loudoun Artist Studio Tour (WLAST) was born, Norton started his own studio open house. If not for this and WLAST’s founder Jeanne Niccolls, visiting one of those earlier open houses, the Western Loudoun Studio Tour may never have been.

WLAST - Kristen Swanson

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Tom Neel

21 June 2015

Kristen Swanson is an energetic ceramic artist living and working in the village of Lovettesville. Her expansive home based studio not only acts as a personal studio, but as a busy class workshop and her gallery for the tour as well.

WLAST - Jeffery and Liz Hall

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Tom Neel

21 June 2015

This artistic duo of tour veterans has much to offer and have offered much. My previous mentioning of Liz Hall’s WLAST contributions tells she’s been onboard with the tour in a big way from early on and the couple’s farm just south of the town of Lovettsville, has been a favorite stop for many.

The You in Your Work

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Tom Neel

31 May 2015

The creating of artwork, in a sense has no boundaries. It is so vast, as an artist you really must make sure you have a true understanding of more than just technique,but also yourself. For it is yourself you are painting or sculpting or expressing while venturing into any artistic medium. Every time you create something. Loosing sight of the you in whatever you are creating, removes the soul of your work.

Artist's Perspective - Inner Child

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Tom Neel

06 May 2015

As primal a fear a human can experience, creativity for many seems to rank among the top. It’s seems much like public speaking. Yet I believe the difference is that most of us would actually love to be more creative and few have a desire for public speaking. Interesting enough, I feel they are connected.

Life Coach - I Can't

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Kim Tapper

06 May 2015

“The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it” – MichelangeloI hear the refrains of “I can’t;” and “that will never happen;” and “if only I could...” pour forth from people all too often. There seems to be a pervasive limiting belief that has crept into our collective consciousness keeping us playing small in our own lives.

"The People's Choice" - Jennifer Nelson

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Tom Neel

06 May 2015

Live An Artful Life Gallery recently had its Miniature Masterworks Show of small paintings sized at 108 square inches or less and in any format. Along with 1st through 3rd place awards, solely judged by Linda Neel, an award was honored to The People's Choice.

"Lighting The Creative Spark" Dr. Celia Im

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Tom Neel

06 May 2015

True artistry is about growth and reinvention. Artists might easily find their creative selves and the birth of their creative expression, but it is not just this creative birth that defines them. It is the continual growth and reinvention that allows an artist to truly live an artful life.

"Form From Within" David Erdman

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Tom Neel

06 May 2015

To meet sculptor David Erdman and to then see his works of art, you might at first see them as a mismatched pair. I think even this large teddy bear of a man would never describe himself as being polished, of flowing form, or even thought provoking, and yet, that is exactly how one might describe his sculpture. But once you get to know Erdman, this artist’s inner self easily appears all over his work.

SARASOTA! Sunshine and Culture!

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Tom Neel

09 February 2015

Smack dab in the middle of Florida’s west coast, lies the historic circus town of Sarasota. A vibrant arts community, Sarasota might well be the culture capital of the sunshine state. Charles Ringing didn’t discover Sarasota, but he sure made it home to the greatest show on earth and is responsible for much of its early development and its culture cache today.

Life Lessons Learned From Dance

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Kim Tapper

09 February 2015

Imagine my excitement when I found out that the theme of this issue was dance. Why, you might ask? What does a Life Coach know about dance? Well...before I became a coach I had the great opportunity to be a professional dancer. Yes, professional. That means I made a career out of it – got paid and all (paltry salary at that, but a salary nonetheless). So as I pondered this article and all the many things I could share about dance, what came up were all the lessons – the life lessons – I learned from life as a dancer.

7 Reasons To Dance

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Monica Neel

09 February 2015

Dance lives in my home. It has since I was little. I come from a legacy of dancers...not trained performers, but humans compelled to move to music. I’ve always known it was a powerful form of expression, but wanted to explore what the literature had to say on the topic. I was blown away and had to share. If you’ve needed an excuse to dance or have a curiosity about the whys and hows...here you go!